Intra basic service set signaling for multiple access points

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to intra-basic service set (BSS) signaling for multiple access points (APs). A device may determine one or more access points (APs), wherein the one or more APs are in a set of multiple basic service sets (BSSs) identified as intra-BSS. The device may include, in a first frame, a high-efficiency operation element comprising a bit associated with an indicator of the set of multiple BSSs. The device may include, in a second frame, an association identification (AID) value, wherein the AID value is associated with the device. The device may cause to send the first frame a first station device of one or more station devices. The device may cause to send the second frame to a second station device of the one or more station devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 17/030,619, filed Sep. 24, 2020, which is a continuation ofU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/220,950, filed Dec. 14,2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,880,934, issued on Dec. 29, 2020, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/599,592, filedDec. 15, 2017, all disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference as if set forth in full.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for wirelesscommunications and, more particularly, to intra basic service set (BSS)signaling for multiple access points (APs).

BACKGROUND

Wireless devices are becoming widely prevalent and are increasinglyrequesting access to wireless channels. The Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) is developing one or more standards thatutilize Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) in channelallocation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an example network environmentfor intra basic service set (BSS) signaling for multiple access points(APs), in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for intra-BSS signalingfor multiple APs, in accordance with one or more example embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process for intra-BSSsignaling for multiple APs, in accordance with one or more exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary communicationstation that may be suitable for use as a user device, in accordancewith one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine upon which anyof one or more techniques (e.g., methods) may be performed, inaccordance with one or more example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments described herein provide certain systems, methods,and devices for intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs. The followingdescription and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specificembodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Otherembodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process,algorithm, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11vspecification introduced the concept of multiple BSSID element formultiple virtual APs (VAP). The scenario is that there can be multiplevirtual APs in one physical location to serve station devices (STAs) indifferent groups. These virtual APs form a multiple BSSID set. However,due to the existence of legacy STAs, which do not support the multipleBSSID element in frames, if an AP wants to support legacy STAs, an APhas to transmit multiple legacy beacons. If an AP wants to use thefunctionalities designed in 1 lax on top of multiple BSSID element, thenAP has to have multiple BSSID element when multiple beacons aretransmitted, which violates the original design intention of multipleBSSID element and leads to more complicated scenarios that need to befixed in the 802.11ax specification including but not limited to howdifferent elements are carried in different beacons, how HE STAs findthe beacon with multiple BSSID element.

It is possible for an AP to have multiple beacons and have multipleBSSID element at the same time to support legacy STAs and enable thethree functionalities for 802.11ax STAs. This design deviates from theoriginal design intention of multiple BSSID element to have a singlebeacon or a single probe response, and further works will be required inthe spec to enable the operation like HE STA scanning behavior in thisscenario.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems,methods, and devices for intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs.

In one or more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs maylimit the transmission of beacon in multiple BSSID set to one (e.g., thetransmitted BSSID beacon), and design additional schemes to enable thethree functionalities when multiple beacons are transmitted to supportlegacy STAs.

In one or more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs mayalign with the original design intention of multiple BSSID element,which is to have only one beacon in the multiple BSSID set, and have STAthat supports multiple BSSID element to only scan for the transmittedBSSID beacon. No additional schemes that further complicate the originaldesign of multiple BSSID element is required for this case. The separateproposed signaling when there is no multiple BSSID element then enablesthree functionalities and support the legacy STAs that do not supportmultiple BSSID element.

In one or more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APssystem may associate an AP with a “transmitted BSSID” when the AP isresponsible for transmitting one beacon frame on behalf of the other APsin the set. The BSSID of the AP belonging to a multiple BSSID set isreferred to as the transmitted BSSID if the AP includes the MultipleBSSID element in the Beacon frame that it transmits.

In one or more embodiments, in a multiple BSSID set, there may not bemore than one AP corresponding to the transmitted BSSID. The BSSID of anAP belonging to a multiple BSSID set is a non-transmitted BSSID for anAP that is not designated with the transmitted BSSID. Among all AP STAsin multiple BSSID set, only the AP corresponding to the transmittedBSSID shall transmit a beacon frame.

In one or more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APssystem may facilitate the identification of intra-BSS for all the BSSsin a multiple BSSID set using one or more classifications. In that case,a multiple BSSID element is not needed because each AP associated withthe multiple BSSID set is responsible for sending its own beacon frame.However the intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs system may facilitatethat and STA receiving one of these beacon frames will be capable ofcreating a frame from AP associated with the multiple BSSID set as anintra-BSS AP. In other words, the STA will be capable based oninformation received in the beacon frame to determine that the APs areco-located APs.

In one or more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APssystem may use a transmitted BSSID control frame in order to notify STAsof the multiple BSSID set. For example, the AP and a multiple BSSID setwith a BSSID equal to the transmitted BSSID can send a control frame,like a trigger frame, with a transmitting station address (TA) equal tothe transmitted BSSID in order to solicit response from the STAs indifferent BSSs of the multiple BSSID set. For example, if there arethree BSSs in the multiple BSSID set, each of these BSSs may beassociated with an AP and each AP may have one or more associated STAs.The AP associated with the transmitted BSSID, may be able to trigger allthe STAs in the three different BSSs of the multiple BSSID set.Whenever, and STA determines that the TA of the received control frame(e.g., a trigger frame) is equal to the transmitted BSSID, the STA wouldrespond to the control frame instead of ignoring it, even though the APassociated with the transmitted BSSID may not be associated with theSTA.

In one more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs systemmay facilitate using broadcast RU signaling for different BSSs in themultiple BSSID set in the HE MU PPDU. A broadcast RU is a resource unitwithin an HE MU PPDU, intended for unassociated STAs or any STAassociated with the BSS that may be identified by a specific STA ID,where n is equal to the maximum co-located BSSID indicator field(“MaxBSSID Indicator field”) advertised by the AP in the multiple BSSIDelement.

For example, in order to identify one or more APs in the multiple BSSIDset, a mechanism may be used to allocate one or more AIDs to the APs ofthe multiple BSSID set. For example in the HE MU PPDU of an AP in amultiple BSSID said, the AID may be set to a value of a range of 0 to2^(n)−1, where 2^(n) is the maximum number of APs in the multiple BSSIDset. In one or more examples, the AID of value 0 is used to indicate theBSS where BSSID equal to the transmitted BSSID. Further, AID of value xwithin the range may be used to indicate the BSS with BSSID that has nleast significant bits (LSBs) equal to the n LSBs of the transmittedBSSID plus x modulo 2^(n). The n is a positive integer. The n mayassociated with the maximum number of APs in the multiple BSSID set. Forexample, if there are four APs, then n would be equal to 2. The abovedescriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to belimiting. Numerous other examples, configurations, processes,algorithms, etc., may exist, some of which are described in greaterdetail below. Example embodiments will now be described with referenceto the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an example network environmentof intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs, according to some exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. Wireless network 100 may includeone or more user devices 120 and one or more access points(s) (AP) 102,which may communicate in accordance with IEEE 802.11 communicationstandards. The user device(s) 120 may be mobile devices that arenon-stationary (e.g., not having fixed locations) or may be stationarydevices.

In some embodiments, the user devices 120 and the AP 102 may include oneor more computer systems similar to that of the functional diagram ofFIG. 4 and/or the example machine/system of FIG. 5.

One or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may beoperable by one or more user(s) 110. It should be noted that anyaddressable unit may be a station (STA). An STA may take on multipledistinct characteristics, each of which shape its function. For example,a single addressable unit might simultaneously be a portable STA, aquality-of-service (QoS) STA, a dependent STA, and a hidden STA. The oneor more illustrative user device(s) 120 and the AP(s) 102 may be STAs.The one or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 mayoperate as a personal basic service set (PBSS) control point/accesspoint (PCP/AP). The user device(s) 120 (e.g., 124, 126, or 128) and/orAP(s) 102 may include any suitable processor-driven device including,but not limited to, a mobile device or a non-mobile, e.g., a static,device. For example, user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may include, auser equipment (UE), a station (STA), an access point (AP), a softwareenabled AP (SoftAP), a personal computer (PC), a wearable wirelessdevice (e.g., bracelet, watch, glasses, ring, etc.), a desktop computer,a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an ultrabook computer, a notebookcomputer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, ahandheld device, an internet of things (IoT) device, a sensor device, aPDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-boarddevice, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalitieswith PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device,a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile ornon-portable device, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device,a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, amobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively smallcomputing device, a non-desktop computer, a “carry small live large”(CSLL) device, an ultra mobile device (UMD), an ultra mobile PC (UMPC),a mobile internet device (MID), an “origami” device or computing device,a device that supports dynamically composable computing (DCC), acontext-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, aset-top-box (STB), a blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a digitalvideo disc (DVD) player, a high definition (HD) DVD player, a DVDrecorder, a HD DVD recorder, a personal video recorder (PVR), abroadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, anaudio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat paneldisplay, a personal media player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), adigital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier,a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a digital still camera(DSC), a media player, a smartphone, a television, a music player, orthe like. Other devices, including smart devices such as lamps, climatecontrol, car components, household components, appliances, etc. may alsobe included in this list.

As used herein, the term “Internet of Things (IoT) device” is used torefer to any object (e.g., an appliance, a sensor, etc.) that has anaddressable interface (e.g., an Internet protocol (IP) address, aBluetooth identifier (ID), a near-field communication (NFC) ID, etc.)and can transmit information to one or more other devices over a wiredor wireless connection. An IoT device may have a passive communicationinterface, such as a quick response (QR) code, a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) tag, an NFC tag, or the like, or an activecommunication interface, such as a modem, a transceiver, atransmitter-receiver, or the like. An IoT device can have a particularset of attributes (e.g., a device state or status, such as whether theIoT device is on or off, open or closed, idle or active, available fortask execution or busy, and so on, a cooling or heating function, anenvironmental monitoring or recording function, a light-emittingfunction, a sound-emitting function, etc.) that can be embedded inand/or controlled/monitored by a central processing unit (CPU),microprocessor, ASIC, or the like, and configured for connection to anIoT network such as a local ad-hoc network or the Internet. For example,IoT devices may include, but are not limited to, refrigerators,toasters, ovens, microwaves, freezers, dishwashers, dishes, hand tools,clothes washers, clothes dryers, furnaces, air conditioners,thermostats, televisions, light fixtures, vacuum cleaners, sprinklers,electricity meters, gas meters, etc., so long as the devices areequipped with an addressable communications interface for communicatingwith the IoT network. IoT devices may also include cell phones, desktopcomputers, laptop computers, tablet computers, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), etc. Accordingly, the IoT network may be comprised ofa combination of “legacy” Internet-accessible devices (e.g., laptop ordesktop computers, cell phones, etc.) in addition to devices that do nottypically have Internet-connectivity (e.g., dishwashers, etc.).

The user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may also include mesh stationsin, for example, a mesh network, in accordance with one or more IEEE802.11 standards and/or 3GPP standards.

Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), andAP(s) 102 may be configured to communicate with each other via one ormore communications networks 130 and/or 135 wirelessly or wired. Theuser device(s) 120 may also communicate peer-to-peer or directly witheach other with or without the AP(s) 102. Any of the communicationsnetworks 130 and/or 135 may include, but not limited to, any one of acombination of different types of suitable communications networks suchas, for example, broadcasting networks, cable networks, public networks(e.g., the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, cellularnetworks, or any other suitable private and/or public networks. Further,any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may have any suitablecommunication range associated therewith and may include, for example,global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs),wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal areanetworks (PANs). In addition, any of the communications networks 130and/or 135 may include any type of medium over which network traffic maybe carried including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted-pairwire, optical fiber, a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) medium, microwaveterrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication mediums, whitespace communication mediums, ultra-high frequency communication mediums,satellite communication mediums, or any combination thereof.

Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128) andAP(s) 102 may include one or more communications antennas. The one ormore communications antennas may be any suitable type of antennascorresponding to the communications protocols used by the user device(s)120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126 and 128), and AP(s) 102. Somenon-limiting examples of suitable communications antennas include Wi-Fiantennas, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 family of standards compatible antennas, directional antennas,non-directional antennas, dipole antennas, folded dipole antennas, patchantennas, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas,omnidirectional antennas, quasi-omnidirectional antennas, or the like.The one or more communications antennas may be communicatively coupledto a radio component to transmit and/or receive signals, such ascommunications signals to and/or from the user devices 120 and/or AP(s)102.

Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), andAP(s) 102 may be configured to perform directional transmission and/ordirectional reception in conjunction with wirelessly communicating in awireless network. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124,126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configured to perform such directionaltransmission and/or reception using a set of multiple antenna arrays(e.g., DMG antenna arrays or the like). Each of the multiple antennaarrays may be used for transmission and/or reception in a particularrespective direction or range of directions. Any of the user device(s)120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configuredto perform any given directional transmission towards one or moredefined transmit sectors. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., userdevices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configured to perform anygiven directional reception from one or more defined receive sectors.

MIMO beamforming in a wireless network may be accomplished using RFbeamforming and/or digital beamforming. In some embodiments, inperforming a given MIMO transmission, user devices 120 and/or AP(s) 102may be configured to use all or a subset of its one or morecommunications antennas to perform MIMO beamforming.

Any of the user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), andAP(s) 102 may include any suitable radio and/or transceiver fortransmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in thebandwidth and/or channels corresponding to the communications protocolsutilized by any of the user device(s) 120 and AP(s) 102 to communicatewith each other. The radio components may include hardware and/orsoftware to modulate and/or demodulate communications signals accordingto pre-established transmission protocols. The radio components mayfurther have hardware and/or software instructions to communicate viaone or more Wi-Fi and/or Wi-Fi direct protocols, as standardized by theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11standards. In certain example embodiments, the radio component, incooperation with the communications antennas, may be configured tocommunicate via 2.4 GHz channels (e.g., 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,802.11ax), 5 GHz channels (e.g., 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax), or 60 GHZchannels (e.g., 802.11ad, 802.11ay). In some embodiments, non-Wi-Fiprotocols may be used for communications between devices, such asBluetooth, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), Ultra-HighFrequency (UHF) (e.g., IEEE 802.11af, IEEE 802.22), white band frequency(e.g., white spaces), or other packetized radio communications. Theradio component may include any known receiver and baseband suitable forcommunicating via the communications protocols. The radio component mayfurther include a low noise amplifier (LNA), additional signalamplifiers, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, one or more buffers,and digital baseband.

In one embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, a user device 120 maybe in communication with one or more APs 102. For example, AP 102 mayimplement an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs 140 with one or moreuser devices 120.

It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes ofillustration and are not meant to be limiting.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram 200 for intra-BSSsignaling for multiple APs, in accordance with one or more exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

In 802.11v specification, the concept of multiple BSSID element formultiple virtual APs (VAP) is introduced. The scenario is that there canbe multiple virtual APs in one physical location to serve STAs indifferent groups. These virtual APs are in a multiple BSSID set. Forexample, there can be 3 VAPs (e.g., VAP1, VAP2, and VAP3) in onephysical AP 202 located in an enterprise building to serve the guestnetwork, the employee hotspot network, and primary work network as shownin FIG. 2.

In some scenarios with multiple APs, there could be multiple beacons andmultiple probe responses when responding a broadcast probe request. Toimprove the efficiency in 802.11v, a multiple BSSID element isintroduced such that one of the AP in the multiple BSSID set, referredto as the AP with BSSID equal to “transmitted BSSID,” can send onebeacon or one probe response that includes a multiple BSSID element. Themultiple BSSID element includes information of all APs in the multipleBSSID set. Note that the support of multiple BSSID element is optionalfor legacy STAs. Hence, in reality, multiple beacons or multiple proberesponses are still transmitted.

IEEE 802.11ax mandates the support of multiple BSSID element for802.11ax STAs and add additional three functionalities for the multipleBSSID concept:

(1) Identification of Intra-BSS for all the BSSs in the multiple BSSIDset, where an STA associated with a AP in a multiple BSSID may treat theframe from any AP in the multiple BSSID set as intra-BSS;

(2) Transmitted BSSID Control frame, where the AP in a multiple BSSIDset with BSSID equal to transmitted BSSID can send a control frame, likeTrigger frame, with TA equal to the transmitted BSSID to solicitresponse from STAs in different BSSs in the multiple BSSID set; and

(3) Broadcast RU signaling for different BSSs in the multiple BSSID setin HE MU PPDU.

In an HE MU PPDU of an AP in a multiple BSSID set, AID 0 to 2^(n)−1,where 2^n is the maximum number of APs in the multiple BSSID set, isused for indication of broadcast RU signaling for BSSs in the multipleBSSID set. AID 0 is used to indicate the BSS with BSSID equal totransmitted BSSID. AID x is used to indicate the BSS with BSSID that hasn LSBs equal to the n LSBs of transmitted BSSID plus x mod 2^n.

An intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs may limit the scenarios to onlytwo cases by allowing only the AP that is in the multiple BSSID set andhas BSSID equal to transmitted BSSID to transmit beacon and proberesponse(s) based on the conditions of the network. For example, basedon implementation, if the designated AP that has a BSSID equal to thetransmitted BSSID may determine whether the STAs that are going to becommunicating with the APs in the multiple BSSID set (co-located APs)can support the multiple BSSID element and if not, determine tocommunicate with these STAs in a way to allow the STAs to determine thatthe co-located APs are part of an intra-BSS set.

Case 1: only transmitted BSSID AP transmits beacon frame or proberesponse, which has multiple BSSID element.

Case 2: multiple co-located APs transmit beacon frames or proberesponses, without using the multiple BSSID element in any beacon framesor probe responses

In one or more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APssystem may facilitate signaling in Case 2 to enable the threefunctionalities designed in 802.11ax. In the following, it is assumedthat the signaling is from the AP and that an STA receives thesignaling. For functionality 1, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APssystem may identify a set of APs as Intra-BSS APs for the associatedSTAs.

In one or more embodiments, an HE MU PPDU may determine a field calledintra-BSS set indicator in the HE operation element from the AP. A bitin HE operation element may be used to indicate if the Intra-BSS setindicator is present. In Case 1, when the multiple BSSID element isused, intra-BSS set indicator may not be present. It should beunderstood that the term element refers to an information element (IE).

In one or more embodiments, the intra-BSS set indicator indicates avalue of “n” such that for an associated STA, if a received frame hasBSSID field with 48-n most significant bits (MSBs) equal to the 48-nMSBs of the BSSID of the transmitter of HE operation element, then theframe is regarded as intra-BSS frame.

In one or more embodiments, if the received frame has a receivingstation address (RA) and a transmitting station address (TA), and either48-n MSBs of the RA or the TA is equal to the 48-n MSBs of the BSSID ofthe transmitter of HE operation element, then the frame is regarded asintra-BSS. If a received frame has a BSSID field with 48-n MSBs notequal to the 48-n MSBs of the BSSID of the transmitter of HE operationelement, then the frame is regarded as inter-BSS.

In one or more embodiments, if the received frame has RA and TA, and the48-n MSBs of RA and TA are not equal to the 48-n MSBs of BSSID of thetransmitter of HE operation element, then the frame is regarded asinter-BSS. The maximum indicated value of Intra-BSS set is limited to 8.

In one or more embodiments, the BSS that is in the intra-BSS set may usethe same BSS color in the HE operation element. That is, all APs thatare members of a multiple BSSID set or co-located BSSID set will use thesame BSS color. It should be understood that a BSS color is a numericalidentifier of a particular BSS.

In one or more embodiments, an intra-BSS signaling for multiple APssystem may define (for functionality 2) a control BSSID concept. For theSTA, a control BSSID may be different from the BSSID of the associatedAP. When an STA associates with an AP having a BSSID, the STA would knowto associate the AP with that BSSID.

In one or more embodiments, the control BSSID may be carried in the TAof the control frame such as trigger frame to solicit responses from anSTA that is associated with a BSS with BSSID different from the controlBSSID. Reception Support of control BSSID in control frame is optionalfor a non-AP STA. 48-n MSBs of control BSSID is equal to the 48-n MSBsof BSSID of the transmitter of HE operation element.

In one or more embodiments, in order to indicate “n” least significantbits (LSBs) of the control BSSID, (1) the n LSBs of the control BSSIDmay be equal to 0, or (2) in the HE operation element, n LSBs of thecontrol BSSID may be indicated in a field with one byte called “partialcontrol BSSID”. For example, one bit in HE operation element may be usedto indicate if partial control BSSID field is present.

In one or more embodiments, for functionality 3, an intra-BSS signalingfor multiple APs system may define a “broadcast resource unit (RU)”indication in HE MU PPDU for a BSS in the intra-BSS set. A broadcast RUis a resource unit within an HE MU PPDU, intended for unassociated STAsor any STA associated with the BSS that may be identified by a specificSTA ID, where n is equal to the MaxBSSID Indicator field advertised bythe AP in the Multiple BSSID element.

In one or more embodiments, a BSS in the intra-BSS set may notallocatean association identification (AID) value 0 to 2^(n)−1, where nis indicated in the intra-BSS set Indicator, to an associated STA. Thatis the AID values in the range of 0 to 2^(n)−1 are reserved for the APsin the intra-BSS set.

In one or more embodiments, based on the indication of n LSBs of thecontrol BSSID, (1) the value of n LSBs of the BSSID of the transmitterof HE operation element may be the AID value used to indicate broadcastRU in HE PPDU for the BSS of the transmitter of HE operation element, or(2) the value of n LSBs of BSSID of the transmitter of HE operationminus the value of n LSBs of control BSSID mod 2^(n) is the AID valueused to indicate broadcast RU in HE PPDU for the BSS of the transmitterof HE operation element.

It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes ofillustration and are not meant to be limiting.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process 300 for anillustrative intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs, in accordance withone or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

At block 302, a device (e.g., the user device(s) 120 and/or the AP 102of FIG. 1) may determine one or more access points (APs), wherein theone or more APs are in a set of multiple basic service sets (BSSs)identified as intra-BSS. The one or more APs in the set of multiple BSSshave a same BSS color. The device may be in a first BSS. The device mayhave a basic service set identification (BSSID) that may be determinedfrom the set of multiple BSSs, and the BSSID may be a control BSSID. Theset of the multiple BSSs may be a co-located basic service setidentification (BSSID) set or a co-hosted BSSID set. The device maydetermine a resource unit intended for an unassociated STA. Each BSS inthe set of the multiple BSSs may have a specific AID value from a rangeof AID values between 0 and 2^(n)−1. Further, each associated STAs ofthe BSS in the set of the multiple BSSs has a specific AID value from arange of AID values larger than 2^(n)−1.

At block 304, the device may include, in a first frame, ahigh-efficiency operation element comprising a bit associated with anindicator of the set of multiple BSSs. the first frame does not containa multiple BSSID element. In some examples, a number n of leastsignificant bits (LSBs) of the control BSSID may be in indicated in thefirst frame, and where n may be indicated by the indicator of the set ofmultiple BSSs.

At block 306, the device may include, in a second frame, an associationidentification (AID) value, wherein the AID value is associated with thedevice. In some examples, the AID value may be derived from a range ofAID values between 0 and 2^(n)−1, where n is a positive integer, andwherein 2^(n) is a maximum number of BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSs

At block 308, the device may cause to send the first frame a firststation device of one or more station devices. In some examples, thedevice may send a control frame to solicit response from the secondstation device in a second BSS of the set of the multiple BSSs, whereinthe second BSS is different from the first BSS.

At block 308, the device may cause to send the second frame to a secondstation device of the one or more station devices.

It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes ofillustration and are not meant to be limiting.

FIG. 4 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary communication station400 in accordance with some embodiments. In one embodiment, FIG. 4illustrates a functional block diagram of a communication station thatmay be suitable for use as an AP 102 (FIG. 1) or user device 120(FIG. 1) in accordance with some embodiments. The communication station400 may also be suitable for use as a handheld device, a mobile device,a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wirelessterminal, a laptop computer, a wearable computer device, a femtocell, ahigh data rate (HDR) subscriber station, an access point, an accessterminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device.

The communication station 400 may include communications circuitry 402and a transceiver 410 for transmitting and receiving signals to and fromother communication stations using one or more antennas 401. Thecommunications circuitry 402 may include circuitry that can operate thephysical layer (PHY) communications and/or media access control (MAC)communications for controlling access to the wireless medium, and/or anyother communications layers for transmitting and receiving signals. Thecommunication station 400 may also include processing circuitry 406 andmemory 408 arranged to perform the operations described herein. In someembodiments, the communications circuitry 402 and the processingcircuitry 406 may be configured to perform operations detailed in FIGS.1-3.

In accordance with some embodiments, the communications circuitry 402may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium and configure frames orpackets for communicating over the wireless medium. The communicationscircuitry 402 may be arranged to transmit and receive signals. Thecommunications circuitry 402 may also include circuitry formodulation/demodulation, upconversion/downconversion, filtering,amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 406 ofthe communication station 400 may include one or more processors. Inother embodiments, two or more antennas 401 may be coupled to thecommunications circuitry 402 arranged for sending and receiving signals.The memory 408 may store information for configuring the processingcircuitry 406 to perform operations for configuring and transmittingmessage frames and performing the various operations described herein.The memory 408 may include any type of memory, including non-transitorymemory, for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer). For example, the memory 408 may include a computer-readablestorage device, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM),magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devicesand other storage devices and media.

In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may be part of aportable wireless communication device, such as a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wirelesscommunication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, asmartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, adigital camera, an access point, a television, a medical device (e.g., aheart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), a wearable computerdevice, or another device that may receive and/or transmit informationwirelessly.

In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may include one ormore antennas 401. The antennas 401 may include one or more directionalor omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas,monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas,or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. Insome embodiments, instead of two or more antennas, a single antenna withmultiple apertures may be used. In these embodiments, each aperture maybe considered a separate antenna. In some multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectively separated forspatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that mayresult between each of the antennas and the antennas of a transmittingstation.

In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may include one ormore of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multipleantennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, andother mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screen includinga touch screen.

Although the communication station 400 is illustrated as having severalseparate functional elements, two or more of the functional elements maybe combined and may be implemented by combinations ofsoftware-configured elements, such as processing elements includingdigital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. Forexample, some elements may include one or more microprocessors, DSPs,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) andcombinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing atleast the functions described herein. In some embodiments, thefunctional elements of the communication station 400 may refer to one ormore processes operating on one or more processing elements.

Certain embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination ofhardware, firmware, and software. Other embodiments may also beimplemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storagedevice, which may be read and executed by at least one processor toperform the operations described herein. A computer-readable storagedevice may include any non-transitory memory mechanism for storinginformation in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). Forexample, a computer-readable storage device may include read-only memory(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, opticalstorage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices andmedia. In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may includeone or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored ona computer-readable storage device memory.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a machine 500 orsystem upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g.,methodologies) discussed herein may be performed. In other embodiments,the machine 500 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected(e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, themachine 500 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a clientmachine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example,the machine 500 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (orother distributed) network environments. The machine 500 may be apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a wearable computer device,a web appliance, a network router, a switch or bridge, or any machinecapable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine, such as a base station. Further,while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloudcomputing, software as a service (SaaS), or other computer clusterconfigurations.

Examples, as described herein, may include or may operate on logic or anumber of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangibleentities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operationswhen operating. A module includes hardware. In an example, the hardwaremay be specifically configured to carry out a specific operation (e.g.,hardwired). In another example, the hardware may include configurableexecution units (e.g., transistors, circuits, etc.) and a computerreadable medium containing instructions where the instructions configurethe execution units to carry out a specific operation when in operation.The configuring may occur under the direction of the executions units ora loading mechanism. Accordingly, the execution units arecommunicatively coupled to the computer-readable medium when the deviceis operating. In this example, the execution units may be a member ofmore than one module. For example, under operation, the execution unitsmay be configured by a first set of instructions to implement a firstmodule at one point in time and reconfigured by a second set ofinstructions to implement a second module at a second point in time.

The machine (e.g., computer system) 500 may include a hardware processor502 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit(GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a mainmemory 504 and a static memory 506, some or all of which may communicatewith each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 508. The machine 500 mayfurther include a power management device 532, a graphics display device510, an alphanumeric input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), and a userinterface (UI) navigation device 514 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, thegraphics display device 510, alphanumeric input device 512, and UInavigation device 514 may be a touch screen display. The machine 500 mayadditionally include a storage device (i.e., drive unit) 516, a signalgeneration device 518 (e.g., a speaker), an intra-BSS signaling formultiple APs device 519, a network interface device/transceiver 520coupled to antenna(s) 530, and one or more sensors 528, such as a globalpositioning system (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or othersensor. The machine 500 may include an output controller 534, such as aserial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired orwireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.)connection to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices(e.g., a printer, a card reader, etc.)). The operations in accordancewith one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure may becarried out by a baseband processor. The baseband processor may beconfigured to generate corresponding baseband signals. The basebandprocessor may further include physical layer (PHY) and medium accesscontrol layer (MAC) circuitry, and may further interface with thehardware processor 502 for generation and processing of the basebandsignals and for controlling operations of the main memory 504, thestorage device 516, and/or the intra-BSS signaling for multiple APsdevice 519. The baseband processor may be provided on a single radiocard, a single chip, or an integrated circuit (IC).

The storage device 516 may include a machine readable medium 522 onwhich is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 524(e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of thetechniques or functions described herein. The instructions 524 may alsoreside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 504,within the static memory 506, or within the hardware processor 502during execution thereof by the machine 500. In an example, one or anycombination of the hardware processor 502, the main memory 504, thestatic memory 506, or the storage device 516 may constitutemachine-readable media.

The intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs device 519 may carry out orperform any of the operations and processes (e.g., process 300)described and shown above.

It is understood that the above are only a subset of what the intra-BSSsignaling for multiple APs device 519 may be configured to perform andthat other functions included throughout this disclosure may also beperformed by the intra-BSS signaling for multiple APs device 519.

While the machine-readable medium 522 is illustrated as a single medium,the term “machine-readable medium” may include a single medium ormultiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/orassociated caches and servers) configured to store the one or moreinstructions 524.

Various embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in softwareand/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form ofinstructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by oneor more processors to enable performance of the operations describedherein. The instructions may be in any suitable form, such as but notlimited to source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executablecode, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such a computer-readablemedium may include any tangible non-transitory medium for storinginformation in a form readable by one or more computers, such as but notlimited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magneticdisk storage media; optical storage media; a flash memory, etc.

The term “machine-readable medium” may include any medium that iscapable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution bythe machine 500 and that cause the machine 500 to perform any one ormore of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying data structures used by or associatedwith such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examplesmay include solid-state memories and optical and magnetic media. In anexample, a massed machine-readable medium includes a machine-readablemedium with a plurality of particles having resting mass. Specificexamples of massed machine-readable media may include non-volatilememory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electricallyprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices;magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD- ROM disks.

The instructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 526 using a transmission medium via the networkinterface device/transceiver 520 utilizing any one of a number oftransfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP),transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP),hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communicationsnetworks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephonenetworks (e.g., cellular networks), plain old telephone (POTS) networks,wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards,and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, thenetwork interface device/transceiver 520 may include one or morephysical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or moreantennas to connect to the communications network 526. In an example,the network interface device/transceiver 520 may include a plurality ofantennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-inputmultiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), ormultiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term “transmissionmedium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capableof storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by themachine 500 and includes digital or analog communications signals orother intangible media to facilitate communication of such software. Theoperations and processes described and shown above may be carried out orperformed in any suitable order as desired in various implementations.Additionally, in certain implementations, at least a portion of theoperations may be carried out in parallel. Furthermore, in certainimplementations, less than or more than the operations described may beperformed.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. The terms “computing device,” “userdevice,” “communication station,” “station,” “handheld device,” “mobiledevice,” “wireless device” and “user equipment” (UE) as used hereinrefers to a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone,a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptopcomputer, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber station, anaccess point, a printer, a point of sale device, an access terminal, orother personal communication system (PCS) device. The device may beeither mobile or stationary.

As used within this document, the term “communicate” is intended toinclude transmitting, or receiving, or both transmitting and receiving.This may be particularly useful in claims when describing theorganization of data that is being transmitted by one device andreceived by another, but only the functionality of one of those devicesis required to infringe the claim. Similarly, the bidirectional exchangeof data between two devices (both devices transmit and receive duringthe exchange) may be described as “communicating,” when only thefunctionality of one of those devices is being claimed. The term“communicating” as used herein with respect to a wireless communicationsignal includes transmitting the wireless communication signal and/orreceiving the wireless communication signal. For example, a wirelesscommunication unit, which is capable of communicating a wirelesscommunication signal, may include a wireless transmitter to transmit thewireless communication signal to at least one other wirelesscommunication unit, and/or a wireless communication receiver to receivethe wireless communication signal from at least one other wirelesscommunication unit.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinaladjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a commonobject, merely indicates that different instances of like objects arebeing referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects sodescribed must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, inranking, or in any other manner.

The term “access point” (AP) as used herein may be a fixed station. Anaccess point may also be referred to as an access node, a base station,an evolved node B (eNodeB), or some other similar terminology known inthe art. An access terminal may also be called a mobile station, userequipment (UE), a wireless communication device, or some other similarterminology known in the art. Embodiments disclosed herein generallypertain to wireless networks. Some embodiments may relate to wirelessnetworks that operate in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11standards.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, amobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, apersonal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, anon-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehiculardevice, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumerdevice, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communicationstation, a wireless communication device, a wireless access point (AP),a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device,an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wirelessnetwork, a wireless area network, a wireless video area network (WVAN),a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a personal areanetwork (PAN), a wireless PAN (WPAN), and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-wayradio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communicationsystems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, apersonal communication system (PCS) device, a PDA device whichincorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portableglobal positioning system (GPS) device, a device which incorporates aGPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFIDelement or chip, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transceiver ordevice, a single input multiple output (SIMO) transceiver or device, amultiple input single output (MISO) transceiver or device, a devicehaving one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, digitalvideo broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devicesor systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a smartphone, awireless application protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems following one or morewireless communication protocols, for example, radio frequency (RF),infrared (IR), frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal FDM(OFDM), time-division multiplexing (TDM), time-division multiple access(TDMA), extended TDMA (E-TDMA), general packet radio service (GPRS),extended GPRS, code-division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA(WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA,multi-carrier modulation (MDM), discrete multi-tone (DMT), Bluetooth®,global positioning system (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee, ultra-wideband(UWB), global system for mobile communications (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G,3.5G, 4G, fifth generation (5G) mobile networks, 3 GPP, long termevolution (LTE), LTE advanced, enhanced data rates for GSM Evolution(EDGE), or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various otherdevices, systems, and/or networks.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 may include a device comprising processing circuitry coupledto storage, the processing circuitry configured to: determine one ormore access points (APs), wherein the one or more APs are in a set ofmultiple basic service sets (BSSs) identified as intra-BSS; include, ina first frame, a high-efficiency operation element comprising a bitassociated with an indicator of the set of multiple BSSs; include, in asecond frame, an association identification (AID) value, wherein the AIDvalue may be associated with the device; and cause to send the firstframe a first station device of one or more station devices; and causeto send the second frame to a second station device of the one or morestation devices.

Example 2 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein a basic service set identification (BSSID) of the devicemay be determined from the set of multiple BSSs, and wherein the BSSIDmay be a control BSSID.

Example 3 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein the set of the multiple BSSs may be a co-located basicservice set identification (BSSID) set or a co-hosted BSSID set.

Example 4 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein the first frame does not contain a multiple BSSIDelement.

Example 5 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured todetermine a resource unit intended for an unassociated STA.

Example 6 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein the one or more APs in the set of multiple BSSs have asame BSS color.

Example 7 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein the device may be in a first BSS.

Example 8 may include the device of example 7 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured tocause to send a control frame to solicit response from the secondstation device in a second BSS of the set of the multiple BSSs, whereinthe second BSS may be different from the first BSS.

Example 9 may include the device of example 7 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein a number n of least significant bits (LSBs) of thecontrol BSSID may be in indicated in the first frame, and wherein n maybe indicated by the indicator of the set of multiple BSSs.

Example 10 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, wherein the AID value may be derived from a range of AID valuesbetween 0 and 2n−1, wherein n may be a positive integer, and wherein 2nmay be a maximum number of BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSs.

Example 11 may include the device of example 10 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein each BSS in the set of the multiple BSSs has aspecific AID value from a range of AID values between 0 and 2n−1.

Example 12 may include the device of example 10 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein each associated STAs of the BSS in the set ofthe multiple BSSs has a specific AID value from a range of AID valueslarger than 2n−1.

Example 13 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other exampleherein, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit andreceive wireless signals.

Example 14 may include the device of example 7 and/or some other exampleherein, further comprising an antenna coupled to the transceiver.

Example 15 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storingcomputer-executable instructions which when executed by one or moreprocessors result in performing operations comprising: determining oneor more access points (APs), wherein the one or more APs are in a set ofmultiple basic service sets (BSSs) identified as intra-BSS; including,in a first frame, a high-efficiency operation element comprising a bitassociated with an indicator of the set of multiple BSSs; including, ina second frame, an association identification (AID) value, wherein theAID value may be associated with the device; and causing to send thefirst frame a first station device of one or more station devices; andcausing to send the second frame to a second station device of the oneor more station devices.

Example 16 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein a basic service setidentification (BSSID) of the device may be determined from the set ofmultiple BSSs, and wherein the BSSID may be a control BSSID.

Example 17 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein the set of themultiple BSSs may be a co-located basic service set identification(BSSID) set or a co-hosted BSSID set.

Example 18 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein the first framedoes not contain a multiple BSSID element.

Example 19 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein the operationsfurther comprise determining a resource unit intended for anunassociated STA.

Example 20 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein the one or more APsin the set of multiple BSSs have a same BSS color.

Example 21 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein the device may bein a first BSS.

Example 22 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 21 and/or some other example herein, wherein the operationsfurther comprise causing to send a control frame to solicit responsefrom the second station device in a second BSS of the set of themultiple BSSs, wherein the second BSS may be different from the firstBSS.

Example 23 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 21 and/or some other example herein, wherein a number n of leastsignificant bits (LSBs) of the control BSSID may be in indicated in thefirst frame, and wherein n may be indicated by the indicator of the setof multiple BSSs.

Example 24 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein the AID value maybe derived from a range of AID values between 0 and 2n−1, wherein n maybe a positive integer, and wherein 2n may be a maximum number of BSSIDsin the set of multiple BSSs.

Example 25 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 24 and/or some other example herein, wherein each BSS in the setof the multiple BSSs has a specific AID value from a range of AID valuesbetween 0 and 2n−1.

Example 26 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium ofexample 24 and/or some other example herein, wherein each associatedSTAs of the BSS in the set of the multiple BSSs has a specific AID valuefrom a range of AID values larger than 2n−1.

Example 27 may include a method comprising: determining, by one or moreprocessors, one or more access points (APs), wherein the one or more APsare in a set of multiple basic service sets (BSSs) identified asintra-BSS; including, in a first frame, a high-efficiency operationelement comprising a bit associated with an indicator of the set ofmultiple BSSs; including, in a second frame, an associationidentification (AID) value, wherein the AID value may be associated withthe device; and causing to send the first frame a first station deviceof one or more station devices; and causing to send the second frame toa second station device of the one or more station devices.

Example 28 may include the method of example 27 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein a basic service set identification (BSSID) ofthe device may be determined from the set of multiple BSSs, and whereinthe BSSID may be a control BSSID.

Example 29 may include the method of example 27 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the set of the multiple BSSs may be a co-locatedbasic service set identification (BSSID) set or a co-hosted BSSID set.

Example 30 may include the method of example 27 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the first frame does not contain a multipleBSSID element.

Example 31 may include the method of example 27 and/or some otherexample herein, further comprising determining a resource unit intendedfor an unassociated STA.

Example 32 may include the method of example 27 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the one or more APs in the set of multiple BSSshave a same BSS color.

Example 33 may include the method of example 27 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the device may be in a first BSS.

Example 34 may include the method of example 33 and/or some otherexample herein, further comprising causing to send a control frame tosolicit response from the second station device in a second BSS of theset of the multiple BSSs, wherein the second BSS may be different fromthe first BSS.

Example 35 may include the method of example 33 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein a number n of least significant bits (LSBs) ofthe control BSSID may be in indicated in the first frame, and wherein nmay be indicated by the indicator of the set of multiple BSSs.

Example 36 may include the method of example 27 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the AID value may be derived from a range of AIDvalues between 0 and 2n−1, wherein n may be a positive integer, andwherein 2n may be a maximum number of BSSIDs in the set of multipleBSSs.

Example 37 may include the method of example 36 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein each BSS in the set of the multiple BSSs has aspecific AID value from a range of AID values between 0 and 2n−1.

Example 38 may include the method of example 36 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein each associated STAs of the BSS in the set ofthe multiple BSSs has a specific AID value from a range of AID valueslarger than 2n−1.

Example 39 may include an apparatus comprising means for: determiningone or more access points (APs), wherein the one or more APs are in aset of multiple basic service sets (BSSs) identified as intra-BSS;including, in a first frame, a high-efficiency operation elementcomprising a bit associated with an indicator of the set of multipleBSSs; including, in a second frame, an association identification (AID)value, wherein the AID value may be associated with the device; andcausing to send the first frame a first station device of one or morestation devices; and causing to send the second frame to a secondstation device of the one or more station devices.

Example 40 may include the apparatus of example 39 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein a basic service set identification (BSSID) ofthe device may be determined from the set of multiple BSSs, and whereinthe BSSID may be a control BSSID.

Example 41 may include the apparatus of example 39 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the set of the multiple BSSs may be a co-locatedbasic service set identification (BSSID) set or a co-hosted BSSID set.

Example 42 may include the apparatus of example 39 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the first frame does not contain a multipleBSSID element.

Example 43 may include the apparatus of example 39 and/or some otherexample herein, further comprising determining a resource unit intendedfor an unassociated STA.

Example 44 may include the apparatus of example 39 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the one or more APs in the set of multiple BSSshave a same BSS color.

Example 45 may include the apparatus of example 39 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the device may be in a first BSS.

Example 46 may include the apparatus of example 45 and/or some otherexample herein, further comprising causing to send a control frame tosolicit response from the second station device in a second BSS of theset of the multiple BSSs, wherein the second BSS may be different fromthe first BSS.

Example 47 may include the apparatus of example 45 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein a number n of least significant bits (LSBs) ofthe control BSSID may be in indicated in the first frame, and wherein nmay be indicated by the indicator of the set of multiple BSSs.

Example 48 may include the apparatus of example 39 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein the AID value may be derived from a range of AIDvalues between 0 and 2n−1, wherein n may be a positive integer, andwherein 2n may be a maximum number of BSSIDs in the set of multipleBSSs.

Example 49 may include the apparatus of example 48 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein each BSS in the set of the multiple BSSs has aspecific AID value from a range of AID values between 0 and 2n−1.

Example 50 may include the apparatus of example 48 and/or some otherexample herein, wherein each associated STAs of the BSS in the set ofthe multiple BSSs has a specific AID value from a range of AID valueslarger than 2n−1.

Example 51 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia comprising instructions to cause an electronic device, uponexecution of the instructions by one or more processors of theelectronic device, to perform one or more elements of a method describedin or related to any of examples 1-50, or any other method or processdescribed herein

Example 52 may include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, and/orcircuitry to perform one or more elements of a method described in orrelated to any of examples 1-50, or any other method or processdescribed herein.

Example 53 may include a method, technique, or process as described inor related to any of examples 1-50, or portions or parts thereof.

Example 54 may include an apparatus comprising: one or more processorsand one or more computer readable media comprising instructions that,when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform the method, techniques, or process as described inor related to any of examples 1-50, or portions thereof.

Example 55 may include a method of communicating in a wireless networkas shown and described herein.

Example 56 may include a system for providing wireless communication asshown and described herein.

Example 57 may include a device for providing wireless communication asshown and described herein.

Embodiments according to the disclosure are in particular disclosed inthe attached claims directed to a method, a storage medium, a device anda computer program product, wherein any feature mentioned in one claimcategory, e.g., method, can be claimed in another claim category, e.g.,system, as well. The dependencies or references back in the attachedclaims are chosen for formal reasons only. However, any subject matterresulting from a deliberate reference back to any previous claims (inparticular multiple dependencies) can be claimed as well, so that anycombination of claims and the features thereof are disclosed and can beclaimed regardless of the dependencies chosen in the attached claims.The subject-matter which can be claimed comprises not only thecombinations of features as set out in the attached claims but also anyother combination of features in the claims, wherein each featurementioned in the claims can be combined with any other feature orcombination of other features in the claims. Furthermore, any of theembodiments and features described or depicted herein can be claimed ina separate claim and/or in any combination with any embodiment orfeature described or depicted herein or with any of the features of theattached claims.

The foregoing description of one or more implementations providesillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the scope of embodiments to the precise form disclosed.Modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments.

Certain aspects of the disclosure are described above with reference toblock and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/orcomputer program products according to various implementations. It willbe understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flowdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and the flowdiagrams, respectively, may be implemented by computer-executableprogram instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams andflow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the orderpresented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, accordingto some implementations.

These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto aspecial-purpose computer or other particular machine, a processor, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particularmachine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer,processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus create meansfor implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagramblock or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be storedin a computer-readable storage media or memory that may direct acomputer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function ina particular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage media produce an article of manufactureincluding instruction means that implement one or more functionsspecified in the flow diagram block or blocks. As an example, certainimplementations may provide for a computer program product, comprising acomputer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program codeor program instructions implemented therein, said computer-readableprogram code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functionsspecified in the flow diagram block or blocks. The computer programinstructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements orsteps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus toproduce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions thatexecute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elementsor steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagramblock or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams supportcombinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functionsand program instruction means for performing the specified functions. Itwill also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowdiagrams, may be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-based computersystems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, orcombinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainimplementations could include, while other implementations do notinclude, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or moreimplementations or that one or more implementations necessarily includelogic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whetherthese features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to beperformed in any particular implementation.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forthherein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented inthe foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to thespecific implementations disclosed and that modifications and otherimplementations are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device configured for operation in a basicservice set (BSS), the device comprising processing circuitry coupled tostorage, the processing circuitry configured to: identify a framereceived from a transmitted basic service set identification (BSSID)access point (AP), wherein the transmitted BSSID AP is selected torepresent a plurality of APs in a set of multiple BSSs, wherein the setof the multiple BSSs is a co-hosted multiple BSSID set; extract from theframe a transmitting station address (TA) corresponding to thetransmitted BSSID AP, wherein the device is located in a different BSSfrom a BSS of the transmitted BSSID AP; extract a high-efficiencyoperation element from the frame, wherein the high-efficiency operationelement comprises a bit associated with a number of BSSIDs in the set ofmultiple BSSs; generate a response frame to the frame received from thetransmitted BSSID AP; and cause to send the response frame to thetransmitted BSSID AP.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a size of theset of multiple BSSs has a maximum number of 2^(n), wherein n is apositive integer.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame is a proberesponse frame, or a beacon frame.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein theframe is classified as an intra-BSS frame.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the one or more APs in the set of multiple BSSs have a same BSScolor that identifies the BSS.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein theframe has an address value corresponding to a BSS to which a secondstation device is associated with.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein theframe is classified as an intra-BSS physical layer protocol data unit(PPDU) based on a receiving station address (RA), a transmitting stationaddress (TA), or BSSID field value that is equal to the BSSID of any ofthe BSSs in the co-hosted multiple BSSID set to which the BSS in whichthe device belongs.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising atransceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals.
 9. Thedevice of claim 4, further comprising an antenna coupled to thetransceiver to cause to send the response frame.
 10. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions whichwhen executed by one or more processors of a device in a basic serviceset (BSS), result in performing operations comprising: identifying aframe received from a transmitted basic service set identification(BSSID) access point (AP), wherein the transmitted BSSID AP is selectedto represent a plurality of APs in a set of multiple BSSs, wherein theset of the multiple BSSs is a co-hosted multiple BSSID set; extractingfrom the frame a transmitting station address (TA) corresponding to thetransmitted BSSID AP, wherein the device is located in a different BSSfrom a BSS of the transmitted BSSID AP; extracting a high-efficiencyoperation element from the frame, wherein the high-efficiency operationelement comprises a bit associated with a number of BSSIDs in the set ofmultiple BSSs; generating a response frame to the frame received fromthe transmitted BSSID AP; and causing to send the response frame to thetransmitted BSSID AP.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 10, wherein a size of the set of multiple BSSs has a maximumnumber of 2^(n), wherein n is a positive integer.
 12. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the frame is a proberesponse frame, or a beacon frame.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the frame is classified asan intra-BSS frame.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 10, wherein the one or more APs in the set of multiple BSSs have asame BSS color that identifies the BSS.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the frame has an addressvalue corresponding to a BSS to which a second station device isassociated with.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 10, wherein the frame is classified as an intra-BSS physical layerprotocol data unit (PPDU) based on a receiving station address (RA), atransmitting station address (TA), or BSSID field value that is equal tothe BSSID of any of the BSSs in the co-hosted multiple BSSID set towhich the BSS in which the device belongs.
 17. A method comprising:identifying, by one or more processors of a device in a basic serviceset (BSS), a frame received from a transmitted basic service setidentification (BSSID) access point (AP), wherein the transmitted BSSIDAP is selected to represent a plurality of APs in a set of multipleBSSs, wherein the set of the multiple BSSs is a co-hosted multiple BSSIDset; extracting from the frame a transmitting station address (TA)corresponding to the transmitted BSSID AP, wherein the device is locatedin a different BSS from a BSS of the transmitted BSSID AP; extracting ahigh-efficiency operation element from the frame, wherein thehigh-efficiency operation element comprises a bit associated with anumber of BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSs; generating a responseframe to the frame received from the transmitted BSSID AP; and causingto send the response frame to the transmitted BSSID AP.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein a size of the set of multiple BSSs has a maximumnumber of 2^(n), wherein n is a positive integer.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the frame is a probe response frame, or a beaconframe.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the frame is classified as anintra-BSS frame.